Women’s equal pay expectations not a reality

Women
may be destined for major disappointment over their salaries, according to new
research carried out for the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC).

Eighty
eight per cent of women surveyed – rising to 94 per cent of those aged 24 and
under – expect to earn the same as a man with the same qualifications. However,
recent data shows the difference in average pay between men and women working
full-time is £559 a month.

These
findings coincide with the launch of new EOC fair pay campaign, ‘It’s time to
get even’, which helps women check they are being paid fairly.

The
EOC said it is hard for women to detect if they are being paid unfairly if they
can’t compare their pay with men.

Julie
Mellor, chair of the EOC, said: “Forget about sex, politics and religion, pay
is the new taboo. Discrimination flourishes in this culture of secrecy when
people cannot be sure they are rewarded fairly.”